DIANA MALLORY S5

self-dependence of Quakerism, its fastidious reserves and
discrimination were very strong in her. Discrimination
in^ped was the note of her being. For eyery Christian,
some Christian precepts are obsolete. For Lady Lucy
that which runs—c Judge Not!'—had never been alive.

Her emphatic reference to Marsham had brought the
ready colour to Diana's cheeks.

* Yes,—there seems no chance!—* she said, shyly, and
regretfully, as the rain beat on the window.

4 Oh, dear me yes!' said a voice behind them, ' The
glass is going up. It'll be a fine afternoon,—and we'll go
and meet them at Holme Copse. Shan't we, Lady Lucy ?'

Mr. terrier appeared, coming up from the library
laden with papers. The three stood chatting together on
the broad gallery which ran round the hall, The kindness
of the two elders was so marked that Diana's spirits
returned; she was not to be quite a pariah it seemed!
As she walked away towards her room, Mr. Ferrier's eyes
pursued her,—the slim round figure, the young loveliness
of her head and neck.

1 Well!—what are you thinking about her ?' he said
eagerly, turning to the mistress of the house.

Lady Lucy smiled.

i I should prefer it if she didn't talk politics/ she said,
with the slightest possible stiffness. * But she seems a
very charming girl.'

' She talks politics, my dear Lady, because living alone
with her father and with her books, she has had nothing
else to talk about, but politics and books. Would you
rather she talked scandal—or Monte Carlo ?'

The Quaker in Lady Lucy laughed.

' Of course if she married Oliver, she would subordinate
her opinions to Hs.'

' Would she !* said Mr. Ferrier,—' I'm not so sure t'

Lady Lrucy replied that if not, it would be calamitous.